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The flannel is pretty much a staple piece in everyone’s wardrobe. Girl, guy, old or young —regardless of who you are you probably have one. It’s just one of those pieces that is easy to throw on with jeans when you don’t know what else to wear or when you just need a little bit of extra warmth. There is always a use for a flannel.

A flannel is also the perfect way to channel the ’90s trend without having to rock a fuchsia platform or a clear backpack. Even though those can be cool, some people just don’t want to take the trend to that extreme, and that is when the flannel comes in handy. This Fashionista rocks her subdue take on the ’90s trend by throwing her blue and white flannel over a floral dress.

Going to school in sunny California, floral dresses are the norm since it’s pretty much spring-weather year round. The flannel helps to give that extra nod that despite the blue skies, beaming sun, blonde heads, beach trips and tanned students, it still is actually mid-January! It also provides that little bit of extra warmth as the sun goes down and the cool night air moves in.

Flannels come in all different designs and colors. For example, if you’re looking for something a little bit out of the norm then this lace back flannel adds that little bit of extra surprise. Urban Outfitters also has an array of different patterned and colored flannels, including just colored, checkered ones, a little bit like this Fashionista’s. All these different takes on the flannel open the opportunity for everyone to find the perfect staple flannel.